Rinku Singh Cleared to Play in Fourth T20I Against England in Pune

India’s middle-order batter Rinku Singh is back in action. After missing the second and third T20Is due to a low back spasm, he’s fit and ready to play in the fourth T20I against England. The match is scheduled for January 31 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

India’s assistant coach, Ryan Ten Doeschate, confirmed Rinku’s return. “Rinku Singh is fit and ready to play tomorrow. He batted last night,” Ten Doeschate said. This news comes as a relief for the Indian team, which suffered a 26-run loss in the third T20I in Rajkot.

Rinku’s Road to Recovery

The injury occurred in the first T20I at Eden Gardens. While fielding, Rinku felt discomfort in his lower back. As a result, he was ruled out of the second and third games. The BCCI medical team monitored his condition closely, ensuring he made a full recovery before stepping back on the field.

In Rinku’s absence, Ramandeep Singh was drafted into the squad. However, with Rinku back, India’s batting lineup looks stronger for the Pune clash.

India Looks to Bounce Back After Rajkot Setback

In the first T20I, Rinku didn’t get a chance to bat as Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 79 off 34 balls sealed the win. In the second match, India clinched a narrow two-wicket victory.

However, England turned things around in Rajkot. The visitors posted 192/6 in 20 overs. Ben Duckett scored 51 while skipper Jos Buttler scored 43. England’s bowlers then restricted India to 166/9. Jamie Overton (3/24), Brydon Carse (2/28), and Jofra Archer (2/33) delivered match-winning spells.

India now leads the five-match series 2-1, making the fourth T20I a pivotal clash.

Rinku Singh’s Impact on the Team

Rinku is yet to get a chance with the bat in this series. In the first game, India’s top order finished the job before he could step in. However, his explosive finishing ability makes him a key asset for the team.

In 2023, Rinku emerged as India’s go-to finisher. His calmness under pressure and ability to clear the ropes in the death overs make him an invaluable asset.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Captaincy Under Scrutiny

Meanwhile, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has weighed in on Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy. Suryakumar was handed India’s captaincy after the retirement of Rohit Sharma.

Bangar admitted he was initially surprised by the decision. “Honestly, I was shocked that he was elevated to captain because, until that point, Hardik Pandya was the captain-designate. But the way he handled that transition shows his great man-management skills,” Bangar said on Star Sports’ Deep Point show.

However, Suryakumar has struggled to find form in this series.

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